Golf bags, a lot like women’s handbags, come in all price ranges. From $29 at Walmart to the $3,434 Tuscan Soul Pro, you pay for quality, functionality and, of course, brand. Let’s explore some bag history.
Motivational Golf Quotes
“Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick.”
P.J. O’Rourke
“Golf is a puzzle without an answer. I’ve played the game for 40 years and I still haven’t the slightest idea of how to play.”
-Gary Player
So, you have the finest clubs your credit-card limit can buy, a Tiger Woods-approved Nike shirt, Footjoy Tour-S shoes with PowerStrap and LaunchPod technologies that you skipped lunch for a month to afford, and your new Dustin Johnson Adidas golf pants. You’re all set to take the links by storm. Great.
The Beat Up Bag
But what’s up with that beat-up bag? It looks like a family of wolverines took up residence and then left because even they have a smidgen of pride.
Let me guess. You bought it at a garage sale or possibly Goodwill because it was worn in already and you didn’t want to look like a rookie. Then, with years of video golfing experience under your Callaway reversible belt you ventured outside the house, went to the local public course, and felt like, excuse the pun a bag lady. Well, we gotcha covered.
Golf bags, a lot like women’s handbags, come in all price ranges. From $29 at Walmart to the $3,434 Tuscan Soul Pro, you pay for quality, functionality and, of course, brand.
But prior to going too far in the weeds, it’s important to answer a few questions before choosing the proper bag. Where you live, the weather, do you walk, ride, or both, and how often you play are all considerations when buying a new golf bag.
There are basically four types of bags: Staff, cart, stand, and carry. Let’s discuss the options, features, and amenities of the different styles.
Carry Bags
Do you like to go with friends on long walks in the afternoon sunshine? Perhaps a carry bag is the way to go. These types of bags have minimal features. Usually a few pockets for spare for tees, balls and the like, but that’s about it. If your going to lug the thing around for 18 holes, less is more.
The average weight of a carry bag is around two pounds and they’re generally constructed of lightweight materials. They usually have only two-way dividers and no legs to keep it upright. If you’re a minimalist and like to travel light, this is way to go.
Stand Bags
Some golfers like to walk, but don’t want to lay their bag on the ground, like a typical carry bag, when terrain isn’t level. If that’s you, a stand bag might be your cup of (oh, yes, I did say that) tee.
Stand bags, as the name indicates, have retractable legs that allow the bag to stay upright or be angled back for easy club access. When walking the course, most golfers like the added stand feature.
Some stand bags feature backpack-type shoulder straps to better evenly distribute the weigh across your shoulders. They weigh about five pounds and can be used with push/pull carts or riding carts.
If carting these bags, take care not to damage the legs when loading.
Now, if you like the idea of a carry bag, but love the idea of a stand, need a bit more room and pockets without adding too much weight, stand (ouch) up and cheer.
Cart Bags
If you’re not much of a walker unless it’s from the couch to the fridge, enter the cart bag. Designed to be carried on a riding or push cart, they average around six to seven pounds.
If you suddenly get a burst of energy and decide to walk, these will easily transition from a riding cart to a golf pull cart. But if intermingling your clubs makes you anxious, some stand and cart bags have up to 14 club dividers. With higher-end bags, these dividers are sometimes full length.
Other features can be included, such as apparel or valuables’ pockets, straps, and umbrella holders, but you should first evaluate these bags according to your particular taste.
For instance, if you’d wrestle a porcupine naked before you’d walk the course, a single strap for transporting clubs from car to cart is the best option.
Staff Bags
You think you’re ready to rock the big time, or at least look like it? The staff bag is not quite up there with a $54,000 Louis Vuitton handbag, but these are the superstars of golf bags.
Prominently emblazoned with the maker’s logo, they are synonymous with luxury. The cons are negligible. Pros don’t have to hump their own clubs, so, weighing in a mere ten pounds might be a drag for the caddie, but life at the top does have its perks.
The staff bags also offer higher quality materials and workmanship, a plethora of storage space, and the aesthetics to attract even the most jaded pro. If you’re willing to give up the family vacation in order to impress your golf buddies, go for it
Caring For My Golf Bag
Tips
- Your garage is for your lawnmower, fake Christmas tree, and the expensive bicycle you bought but never ride. Beg the wife, if you must, but clubs should be stored indoors. And as to the trunk of your car, if you’re Tony Soprano a body is okay, but if you live in a hot climate, the high temperature will weaken the glues that attach grip and clubhead.
- I love old westerns. One bit of useless information I’ve learned is never put the horse away wet. Funny the things you remember. Anyway, never put your clubs away wet. The reasoning is different for horses, they get chilled, but clubs rust. Towel dry before storing. All golfers should own a golf towel. Best to wipe them down after use.
- Would you ride a motorcycle without a helmet? Your woods get enough of a whacking every time you use one. Headcovers will protect the heads from damage while transporting or dragging them in and out of the bag.
- The one component of a golf club that will periodically need to be replaced are the grips. Cleaning the dirt, sweat, sunscreen, beer (yes, beer) and other crapolla off the grips will extend the time between re-grips.
Regularly give them a quick inspection. Replace when worn or cracked. Bad grip equals bad golf. While you’re checking out the grips, give the shafts a peek too. Look for dents, chips, etc. They, conceivably, will last forever, but you never know.
That’s all for now. So, grab the old bag (not the wife), and go to work on your handicap.
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